Sean Ponist, Esq.
Marin County District Attorney's Office
3501 Civic Center Dr.
Room 130
San Rafael, CA 94903

REGARDING: Vu Troung, Bich Tran, and Tung Duong; Abalone Poaching Case

As a resident and sport diver I request that you prosecute these individuals to the full extent of the law and not plea bargain down their sentences. You may not be aware of the many cases before this one where individuals raped a declining resource for their own personal gain, but it is a growing offense and needs to be dealt with a heavy hand to discourage these and future individuals from continued abuse of a declining State resource.

Please exercise your civic duty and prosecute these individuals to the maximum extent possible.

Thank you,

Clayton Dewberry
sport diver

October 1, 2001

Sean Ponist, Esq.
Marin County District Attorney´s Office
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130
San Rafael, CA 94903

Subject: Abalone Poaching Case of Vu Trong, Bich Tran, Tung Duong

Dear Mr. Ponist:
I am a recreational abalone diver living in Sonoma County. Over the last several years I have become quite frustrated at the ongoing illegal trade in abalone. Sonoma County has been able to increase its enforcement and effectively punish offenders, however other Bay Area County´s from which poachers originate and/or ply their trade are not always so attentive to this crime.

The theft of the public´s resource, particularly by individuals and groups who know full well what they are doing, indicates to me there is a widespread disregard for the law and the resources the law is intended to protect. Further, although I am fully aware of the many other serious crimes courts must contend with, I believe the maintenance of healthy natural resources and the wholesome outdoor activities they foster is worthy of the courts serious consideration. I urge you in the strongest terms to treat abalone poaching as the serious crime that it is and punish the offenders to the full extent of the law.

Respectfully yours,

Mike Malone